Measuring apparatus.



Patented Oct. 30, 1917.

KIM-n STATES ROBERT s. BLAIR, OF NEW 'Roc' LLE, Raw Y o K.

MEASURING Arr RA'r'Us,

Application filed May 31, 1907, SerialNo. 376,635.

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, ROBERT S; BLAIR, a citizen of the United States,-residing at New Rochelle, in the county of Westchester and State of New -York, have invented certain new and usefuljImprovements in Measuring Apparatus, of which thefollowing is a full, clear, and exact description, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to measuring at paratus. One of the objects is toprovide a simple, elficient and, accurate means for.

measuring the rate of relative flow of a fluid. Another object is to provide aprac tical ships log characterized'by reliable indication of speed or distance. Another object is to provide means in connection with l several views of the drawing.

possible embodiments of certain-features of this lnventlon, l

Figure (1) is a diagrammatic elevation of one of the 'same,'Fig. (2) is a sectional view taken substantiallv on the line X--X of Fig. (1) and showing a detail of. con

struction of this portion of the apparatus; Fig. (3) is a diagrammatic view of a slightly different embodiment or certain features of the invention; Similar reference Ch acters refer to similar parts throughout the In. order that certain features of this 'in-.

vention may be the more readily and fully understood, it may here be noted-v that in the measurement of fluid flow as in the case of ships logs, water current metersand anemometers it is the general custom -'to calibrate these instruments by using them ma fluid current of known speed. This is more or less inaccurate and uncertain, not only on account of the difliculty of 'measuring therate of flow of thefluid durin'g calibratlon, but also on accountof the changes Specification of Letters Patent. P t nt 0%,3 1 7.

Renewed September 26, 1917. Serial No. 193,399,

whichgmay occur in the-instrument, 'as'in the case of lubrication of bearings of movingparts: p

Also itmay'be noted that measure'ments through instruments used in connection with empirical formulae are uncertain and unreliable as same are rarely of general application. The accurate measurement -of current flow is nevertheless often of a high degree-of importance, and the provision of apparatus for achieving this end is among thedominant aims'of this invention.

Referring now to the accompanying drawings therewis shown a shaft. (1)to which is connected a cable, (2)Nhaving at its end aflcylindrical member, (3); provided with blades, (4), these parts being of the general form common in the case of ships logs. Connected-with shaft (1) as'by gear:

ing (5) is indicatingor recording appara-,-

tus (6) whereby thenumber ofrevolutions of the shaft is recorded and througha proper calculation inwhich time-is intro-' duced'as a factor the speed of the shaft in revolutions'per minute can .be computed. Fixedupon shaft (1) is a source of power, (7)., taking in this case the form'of a series wound electric motor connected vwith a battery or othersource of current, (8), and

having disposed-within its circuit a variable resistance (9) which preferably comprises a pile of carbon-disks. Fixed upon shaft (1) isa' bevel pinion (10) drivingthrogigh' suitable bevel gearing the pinions and"(12) which. are loosely mounted upon a spindle Pinions (11)"and provided upontheir-adjacent surface w th clutch members each of "\YlllCil is adapted to engage a similarly formed double face clutch member, (14) which is splined on shaft (13) hand is normally held in mid position by the lever, pivoted at 16) and having connectedfi with its remote end the springs (17). Upon roppos te sides of lever (15) are'electrical-magnets -(18)2and (19 adaptedalternatively to attract this lever as an armature to throw the. clutch (14:) into engagement'with the clutch por-F l tion of the corresponding pinion (11)v or;

(12). Upon this action occurring, ifit be. assumed that shaft (1) is 1n rotation the,

carbon disks (9) is increased or diminishedwith a corresponding acceleration or retardatlon of parts driven by the motor A conductor (22) leads from one pole of battery (8) to each of the magnets "(18) and (19) and. the remainingend of these solenoids are led by conductors (23) and (2a) respectivelyto contact brushes (25) and (26). These brushes rest against contact rings (27) and (28) upon the cable (2) and from-these rings conductors (29) and (30) lead to terminals (31) and (32) best shown by Fig. (2) of the drawing.

From the remaining poleof the battery a conductor (33) leads to the contact brush (34) and contact ring (35) to the conductor (36) within the cable (2) terminating upon the metallic body, portion (3) above described, It is to be understood that; the conductors (29), (30) and (36) are insulated throughout their entire length to the points at which they terminate. I

Referring now particularly to Fig. (2) of the drawings there is shown a blade (37) which is pivotedly mounted as at (38) to swing laterally in either direction. This blade? is provided with lugs (39) each of which has a'set screw (40) and these parts i are so formed and positioned as upon the blade swinging in either direction or the other to complete a circut between the conductor and terminal (31) or (32).

There. is also provided adjacent the lever (15 a pair of contacts (411) and 12) both of which are connected with one pole of the automatic construction above described.

Considering now more in detail the action of the pivoted propeller blade (37) it is to be noted that the same is so formed as at all portions to have exactly the same pitch thus necessitating a close approach to parallelism with its axis in the portions adjacent its centerof revolution and the pivot is shown here as substantially parallel to the axis but it is to be understood that the same is slightly inclined thereto so as to have the same pitch distance-as the outer portions of the blade. The outer partis normally held in a predetermined position as by the light springs (15) and the set screws (40) areso adjusted as upon the blade swinging in either direction to, complete the circuit Assuming the log comprising portion (3) y and blades 1) to be drawn astcrn of a vessel in the customary manner, the same will be given a rotary movement due to the action of the water upon the blades There will be however, a slight so called slip? due to the friction of the parts and energy consumed in moving them and thus the number of revolutions times the pitch of the blade will not in ordinary instruments give the distance traveled.

In the present case, however, energy is supplied to the shaft (1) and thus to the cable (2;) by the motor (1?) and this energy is controlled in such av manner as, exactly to do away with the slip; thus ,ifthere is a tendency of the blade to be drawn through the water at a rate faster than that given by its pitch distance times itsnumber of revolutionsper minute, there will be a lateral component exerted upon its forward side tending to swing it and complete a circuit through one of the magnets (18) or (19). The value of resistance (9) is thus changed and thread (20) being of a proper form, the motor (7 speeded up until the pressures upon both sides of the swinging bladeare balanced, and thus give'a trueindication of the rate of travel of the vessel. It on the other hand the motor tends to drive the log too fast, there will be a forward pressure upon the pivotal blade as in the case or" a screw propeller audit will be swung in the opposite direction with a consequent change of the value of the resistance (9) and slowing down of the motor. The rate of revolution of the blade thus is so governed as to do away with any lateral pressure upon either ofits flat surfaces, and when this state-of affairs exists it travels throughthe water at each revolution a distance exactly equal to its pitch andthe rate of travel or distanceof the vessel can be readily computed. ltis to he understood that the resistance of the circuits are so proportioned as to prevent short circuiting of the terminals by the water .asat the set screws (=l0) and to overn the rate of rotation of the motor in such a manner as, reducing gearing being employed if necessary, to bring about the desired rate of drive.

It may herebe noted that the term slip is used throughout this description and the following claims in 1 its nautical sense as denoting the difference between the distance traveled by a boat atonerevolution to its paddle or propeller and the distance which it should have traveled theoretically, namely the pitch of the propeller blades or the cir cumferenceof its paddle wheels.

In Fig. three. (3). of the drawings there is shown another type of apparatus embody ing some features of this invention in Which an endless belt (46) is mounted upon pulleys (47) and is provided with vanes (48) extended at right angles to the pulley. One of these vanes, namely (49), is'pivoted to the pulley and is provided with suitable electrical connections in such a manner that upon' 's'winging in either direction it will either speed up or slow down the driving motor (50) connected with one of the pulleys (47). This regulating apparatus is diagrammaticallyindicated at (51) and is substantially identical withthatabove described in detail; Connected withthe remaining pulley (a?) by suitable gearing (52) is an indicator (53) to show the rate of travel of thepulley and there areprowhereas if moving not so swiftly there would be a tendency to force it forward;

The belt (46) isthus moving at a rate of travelof the wind or other fluid current,

and this rate may be readily ascertained as by the indicating apparatus "(53).

It will thus be seen that there is provided an apparatus in Whichthe obj ects; of this invention are achieved and the advantages hereinbefore enumerated are present; The apparatus is of'simple and inexpensive construction and its action is accurate and; re liable inasmuch as it employs a so-called null method. The accuracy of action may effectually be enhanced by*-disposing:the pivot about which theblade swings inthe first described construction part way up the blade and thus reducing the" practicably negligible value ofthe effect of its edge'resistance. This, however,fas is the case with manyother refinements of, construction will be clear from this description to, those skilled in the art; The-entireapparatus is reliable, efficient and although it may be hand-actuated is preferably largely'automatic and is susceptible of a wide range of practical and scientific application.

As many changes could be made in the above construction, and as various possible embodiments thereof could be made Without departing from the scope of this" invention, itis intended that all matter herein described or shown in the accompanying drawing shall be interpreted as, illustrative and not in a limiting sense; I

Having described my invention andwhat I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patentof the U. S. is:

1; In apparatus of the class described,i combination, electrically controlled indicatingm'eans, means comprising a movable member adapted to be exposed'to a;fl11idmoving relative to said indicating "means and ad aptedc toj be moved by the relative movement of said fluid, and means controlled from. said movable member-adapted to af fect said indicating means upon a slip of said second means relative to said fluid 0'c curring andthereby indicate when said slip occurs. 1 "2. In apparatus of the classdescribed, in combination, indicating means, meanslcom prising a movable member adapted tobe exposed to a'fluid moving-relative to said in dicating means and adapted "to befmoveai, bythe relative movement of said fluid, and means controlled from said movable member adapted to affect said indicating meansupon a slip of said second means in either direc tion relative tosaid fluid occurring.

3. In measuringapparatus, l11"COi11bll12ttion, a device adapted to be exposedrtoa fluideurrent and driven 'thereby, said device comprising a part sensitive to '1ne-' quality of 'pressures up'on its forward and rear surfaces, asourceof power, means con: necting said source ofpower to said device whereby saidsource of power tendsto' drive said device, and meanscont'rolling the speed ofsaidsource of power fromsaid pressuresensitive part to maintainfsaid pressures substantially equal. I

V 4:. In apparatus of the'class described, in

combination, means having a part sensitive to unbalanced pressures thereon adapted to be exposed to a fluid current and adapted to be driveirthe'reby, an auxiliary source of power connected with'said first means,"-and means controlled 'fromsaidpart and adapt ed automatically to control said "auxiliary source of power in accordance with the tendency to slip ofsaifd first mentioned means." 5. In measuring apparatus, in combination, a source of power, a device adaptedtobe exposed to fluid current and sensitiveto inequality of"press'ures upon its opposite sides, a'connectionfrom said source of power tof'said device wherebyfsaid source of power, is'ada pted to move said device, and means controlling said source of power from -sai"d' device in accordance with inequality of said pressures, f

6. In apparatus of the class described,-in combination, a jrotatably mounted member set atan angle with its axis ofrotation and adapted to be 'exposedupon both sides to a,

fluid current, anameans adaptedto' indi combination, a rotatably mounted member set at an. angle with'i'ts axis of rotation and adapted to be exposed upon both sides to a fluid current, and an electricallycontrolled means adapted to indicate unbalanced lateral pressure in either direction upon said member.

8. In apparatus of the class described, in

combination, a rotatably mounted member set at an angle with its axis, of rotation and adapted to be exposed to a fluid current and to tend to be rotated thereby,an auxiliary source of power adapted to tend to drive said rotatably mounted member,- and means controlled by unbalanced lateral pressure upon said member adapted to control said source of power to relieve said pressure.

9. In apparatus of the class described, in combination, a rotatably mounted member set at an angle with its axis of-rotation and adapted tobe exposed to a fluid current, means adapted to apply power to and tend to drive said member, and means automatically controlled in accordance with unbal anced lateral pressure upon said member adapted to control automatically said power applying means.

10, In apparatus of the class described, in combination, a rotatably mounted member set at an angle with its axis of rotation and adapted to be exposed to. a fluid cur rent, a motor connected with and adapted to rotate said member, and means comprising an electrical means controlled in accordance with unbalanced lateral pressure upon said member and adapted to control the rate of drive of said motor.

v11. In apparatus ofthe, class described, in combination, a rotary ships log provided with a hinged blade, means adapted to tend to rotate said log, and means controlled by said hinged blade adapted to accelerate or retard said first mentioned means as said hinged blade tends to swing in oneor another direction.

12. In apparatus of the class described, in combination a rotary ships log provided with a hinged blade, a pair of electrical circuits adapted alternatively to be completed in accordance with the direction of swinging of said blade, a pair of magnets respectively positioned in said circuits, and means com} prising an electric motor controlled by said magnets and controlling the rate of said drive of said log;

13.In apparatus of the class described, in combination, a rotary ships log provided I with a hinged blade, a pair of electrical circuits adapted alternatively to be completed in accordance with thedirection of swinging of said blade, a pair of magnets-respectively positionedin said circuits, and means com prising an electric motor controlled by said magnets and controlling the rate of drive of said log, said means comprising a variable resistance in the circuit of said motor, and means for varying said resistance deriving power from said motor,

1-1. In apparatus of the class described, in combination, a rotary ships log, a cable, an electric motor connected with and adapted to tend to drive said cable, said log being provided with means adapted to move in one or another direction in accordance as its slip, has a positive or negative value, a pair of electric circuits adapted respectively to be completed by said means, a pair of magnets respectively disposed in said circuits, a variable resistance in circuit withsaid motor, and means deriving power from said motor and controlled by said magnets adapted to vary said resistance to cause said motor to accelerate or retard said log and eliminate itsslip. I

15. A current-measuring device formed and mounted to accommodate itself to the direction of flow of a fluid current and comprising a member adapted to be exposed to said current and driven by the relative movement thereof, said member being formed and mounted to be sensitive to inequality of pressures upon its opposite sides, means controlled from said member adapted to indicate inequality of said pressures, and a source of power connected with said device and adapted to aid said current in driving the same.-

16. In measuring apparatus, in combination, a rotary device comprising a part adapted to be exposed to the water upon its forward and rear surfaces and mounted to move with inequality of pressures on said surfaces, an auxiliary-source of power coacting with the action of the water in driving said device, and means controlled from m5 said part adapted to slacken the speed of said device upon the pressure on the rear surface of said part exceeding that on the forward surface thereof. 7 o

17 In apparatus of the class described, in combination, a member adapted to be exposed upon both sides to a fluid current and to be driven thereby, means controlled by inequality of fluid'pressures upon the opposite sides of said member, and a source of power. connected with said member and controlled by said last means to impart a varying driving force to said member.

18. In measuring apparatus, in combination, a rotary device comprising a propeller blade adapted to be exposed to the water upon its forward and rear surfaces, a source of power connected with said device and adapted to tend to drive the same, and means adapted upon the pressure of the water upon therear surface of said propeller blade exceeding that upon the forward surface to decreasethe driving tendency of said source of power. i

19. In measuring apparatus, in combiiiation, a rotary device comprising a propeller blade adapted to be exposed to the water upon its forward and rear surfaces, a source of power connected with said device and adapted to drive the same, and means adapted upon the pressure of the water upon the forward surface of said blade exceeding that upon the rear surface thereof to increase the driving tendency of said source of power. 7

20. In measuring apparatus, in combination, a rotary device so formed as to be retated by a fluid current, an auxiliary source of power connected with said device and adapted to tend to drive the same, and pressure controlled means associated with said device and controlling the driving tendency of said source of power to eliminate slip of said device.

21. In apparatus of the class described, in

combination, a rotary device, means controlled in accordance with the pressures upon portions of said device, and a source of power controlled by said last means and connected with the device to drive it at such rate as to turn through one revolution each ALBERT L. NATHAN, H. M. SnAMAns.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing thecoinmissioner of Patents,

Washington, I). G. i 

